Periodontal Probing SystemsBy: Ismeta Husidic and Meenu Rathore
(Hamilton dental group, 2008) Overall health is related to periodontal status of an individual. As we learn more about this relationship, the tools used for diagnosis should evolve as well. When new products are evaluated, clinicians must weigh the evidence and make the most appropriate decisions for their practices and above all, their patients. Target group: Oral healthcare professionals Goal: By the end of this lesson, the learner would be able to make informed choices on probes related to the type of dental practice. Objectives: The learner would understand
Uses of periodontal probes
Different generation of probes
Limitations of conventional periodontal probing
Periodontal probe selection and the type of dental practice
Advantages of computerized probes
Cost and ordering information of Florida Probe system
Uses:
to detect and measure periodontal pockets
to locate calculus
measure gingival recession
measure width of attached gingiva
measure size of intraoral lesions
locate and measure furcaton involvements
determine mucogingival relationships
bleeding tendencies
Generation of probes:
First generation probes: they are conventional probes and include William's probe, Naber's probe, etc. They do not control pressure.
(Compendium of continuing education in dentistry, 2011)
Second generation probes: are pressure sensitive and allow for improved standardizaiton of probing pressures. Examples include The True Pressure Sensitive Probe, Yeaple Probe, etc.
Figure 2 The True Pressure Sensitive Probe, a second-generation periodontal probe. The indicators lines meet at a specified force of 20 gm.
(Compendium of continuing education in dentistry, 2011)
Third generation probes: overcame the errors like reading the probe, recording data and calculating attachment level. Examples include, Foster-Miller probe, Florida Probe, etc.
Figure 3 The Florida Probe with tip and sleeve diameter (photograph courtesy of Florida Probe Corporation).
(Compendium of continuing education in dentistry, 2011)
Fourth generation probes: also know as three-dimensional probes. still under development.
Fifth generation probes: The earlier generation of probes had the disadvantage of penetrating the junctional epithelium. These probes do not penetrate the junctional epithelium and does not cause any pain to the clients. Besides being three- dimensional, they have an ultrasound component added to them. they are also still under development.
Limitations of conventional periodontal probing:
As the probing force is not controlled, the tip of the probe may penetrate the base of the pocket.
During visualization of readings, errors are possible.
An assistant may be needed to transfer the readings.
Time consuming.
May be uncomfortable to the client.
Discomfort to the clinician after many periodontal probings throughout the day.
Periodontal probe selection and type of practice: For general dental practice - First and second generation probes. For dental practice with interest in periodontics - First, Second generation; and Third generation if computerization is adequate. For a specialty periodontal practice, university and research institutions: Second, Third and Fifth generation.
Advantages of computerized probes: Computerized probes include Florida Probe system, GoProbe system, Heico Dent, Dentrix, Pro-Dentec, PerioPal, etc ( Brodala, N., 2011). These probes are used to educate and motivate the client, besides probing and charting. Important features include increased productivity, improved accuracy, automatic charting, customizable exam, and practice protection. Manual probing may result in dissimilar results between multiple clinicians due to everyone using varying amounts of pressure. Automated probing allows for more accurate results on one client. A special feature which consumers will love about the Florida Probe is that it voices the probing depths as they are automatically being recorded on the computer, which saves a lot of hassle for clinicians and cause less discomfort and pain to the clients. All of these factors combined, increase the patient's willingness and treatment acceptance. The GoProbe system is wireless and works with any manual probe. Florida Probe claim that GoProbe system of probing helps in generating high revenues for a practice. Intraoral cameras have proven to be a major factor in crown and bridge work acceptance by the patient. Similarly, computerized probing techniques have increased client comfort and acceptance.
This is how stages of gingivitis and periodontitis are measured with a computerized probe.
(Wells family dentistry, n.d.)
An example of a periodontal chart on a computer screen.
(Wilbanks smile center, 2011)
Cost and ordering information of Florida Probe system:The Florida Probe system is $5,995.00Second full system is discounted to $3,995.00Go-Probe system is $2,695.00Two work station software keys and two wireless keypads are included. Additional software keys for $349.00 each. Additional wireless keypads $495.00 each. FP handpieces for $249.00 each. *Disk, Stent, CEJ handpieces are available by special order for research use and cost $349.00 each. Probe tips are 3 for $15.00 Short, long, and ball tips are also available, 3 for $20.00 Products can be ordered over the phone at 1-877-357-7623 Online at www.floridaprobe.com
(Hamilton dental group, 2008)
Overall health is related to periodontal status of an individual. As we learn more about this relationship, the tools used for diagnosis should evolve as well. When new products are evaluated, clinicians must weigh the evidence and make the most appropriate decisions for their practices and above all, their patients.
Target group: Oral healthcare professionals
Goal: By the end of this lesson, the learner would be able to make informed choices on probes related to the type of dental practice.
Objectives: The learner would understand
- Uses of periodontal probes
- Different generation of probes
- Limitations of conventional periodontal probing
- Periodontal probe selection and the type of dental practice
- Advantages of computerized probes
- Cost and ordering information of Florida Probe system
Uses:Generation of probes:
Limitations of conventional periodontal probing:
Periodontal probe selection and type of practice:
For general dental practice - First and second generation probes.
For dental practice with interest in periodontics - First, Second generation; and Third generation if computerization is adequate.
For a specialty periodontal practice, university and research institutions: Second, Third and Fifth generation.
Advantages of computerized probes:
Computerized probes include Florida Probe system, GoProbe system, Heico Dent, Dentrix, Pro-Dentec, PerioPal, etc ( Brodala, N., 2011). These probes are used to educate and motivate the client, besides probing and charting. Important features include increased productivity, improved accuracy, automatic charting, customizable exam, and practice protection. Manual probing may result in dissimilar results between multiple clinicians due to everyone using varying amounts of pressure. Automated probing allows for more accurate results on one client. A special feature which consumers will love about the Florida Probe is that it voices the probing depths as they are automatically being recorded on the computer, which saves a lot of hassle for clinicians and cause less discomfort and pain to the clients. All of these factors combined, increase the patient's willingness and treatment acceptance. The GoProbe system is wireless and works with any manual probe. Florida Probe claim that GoProbe system of probing helps in generating high revenues for a practice.
Intraoral cameras have proven to be a major factor in crown and bridge work acceptance by the patient. Similarly, computerized probing techniques have increased client comfort and acceptance.
(Wilbanks smile center, 2011)
Cost and ordering information of Florida Probe system:The Florida Probe system is $5,995.00Second full system is discounted to $3,995.00Go-Probe system is $2,695.00Two work station software keys and two wireless keypads are included. Additional software keys for $349.00 each. Additional wireless keypads $495.00 each.
FP handpieces for $249.00 each. *Disk, Stent, CEJ handpieces are available by special order for research use and cost $349.00 each.
Probe tips are 3 for $15.00
Short, long, and ball tips are also available, 3 for $20.00
Products can be ordered over the phone at 1-877-357-7623
Online at www.floridaprobe.com
Demonstration of the Florida Probe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40BOFJG5WQI
Let us now assess how much we have retained from the above information.
References
Brodala. N., (2005). Dimensions of dental hygiene. Beyond the probe. Retrieved on November 10,2011, from http://www.dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com/ddhright.aspx?id=409
Compendium of continuing education in dentistry. (2011). Periodontal probing systems: review of available equipment. Retrieved on November 11, 2011 fromhttp://www.dentalaegis.com/cced/2011/03/periodontal-probing-systems-a-review-of-available-equipment
Hamilton dental group. (2008). The florida probe.Retrieved on November 15, 2011 from http://www.hamiltondentalgroup.com/c/florida_probe_hd.html
Wells family dentistry. (n.d.).Computerized mapping of bone. [Photograph]. Retrieved on November 15, 2011, from http://www.wellsfamilydentistry.net/mapping.html
Wilbanks smile center. (2011).The Florida probe.[Photograph]. Retrieved on November 15, 2011 from http://wilbankssmilecenter.com/dentistry/page/8/